Tagged: samuel umtiti

Lionel Messi has demanded that Barcelona don’t sell long-time star Javier Mascherano, according to reports in Spain. Mascherano, 33, is likely approaching the tail end of his career, but Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim Lionel Messi is determined that his Argentina teammate should not be let go from the club.

Barcelona let veteran defender Dani Alves leave for Juventus in 2016, only for the Brazil star to shine in Serie A and lead his team to the Champions League final. That was particularly frustrating for the Catalan giants as they struggled to find a replacement for him at left-back in the 2016/17 season. And Diario Gol say Messi is keen for the same situation not to arise again next season. The report claims the Barca talisman wants Mascherano to operate as a rotational player behind Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique in the pecking order. Continue reading…